| Lesson 6 | *February 4 - 10 |
Wise Words for Families
Memory Text: Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV 5 Trust in the
LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all
your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
"Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION". Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Used by Permission.
Sabbath
Afternoon
Proverbs 1:8 NKJV 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Sunday
Love the Right Woman
Proverbs 5:3-14 NKJV 3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; 4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell. 6 Lest you ponder her path of life-Her ways are unstable; You do not know them. 7 Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth. 8 Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, 9 Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; 10 Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner; 11 And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, 12 And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction! 13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! 14 I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
Song of Solomon 4:12-15 NKJV 12 A garden enclosed Is my sister, my spouse, A spring shut up, A fountain sealed. 13 Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates With pleasant fruits, Fragrant henna with spikenard, 14 Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices- 15 A fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon.
Matthew 19:5 NKJV 5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
1 Corinthians 7:3-4 NKJV 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Hebrews 13:4 NKJV 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Proverbs 5:18-19 NKJV 18 Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. 19 As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love.
Monday
A Call to Fathers
Proverbs 13:22 NKJV 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Proverbs 27:23-24 NKJV 23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
Proverbs 14:26 NKJV 26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.
Proverbs 15:1 NKJV 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:18 NKJV 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
Proverbs 16:32 NKJV 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 15:27 NKJV 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
Proverbs 29:17 NKJV 17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Proverbs 15:27 NIV 27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.
Proverbs 15:27 NKJV 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
Tuesday
Correction With Love
Proverbs 10:17 NKJV 17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.
Proverbs 23:13-14 NKJV 13 Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. 14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:1 NKJV 1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Proverbs 29:15 NKJV 15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 19:18 NKJV 18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
Christ is the "Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:9. As through Christ every human being has life, so also through Him every soul receives some ray of divine light. Not only intellectual but spiritual power, a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart. But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power. The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man's experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist. To withstand this force, to attain that ideal which in his inmost soul he accepts as alone worthy, he can find help in but one power. That power is Christ. Co-operation with that power is man's greatest need. In all educational effort should not this co-operation be the highest aim? {Ed 29.1}
The true teacher is not satisfied with second-rate work. He is not satisfied with directing his students to a standard lower than the highest which it is possible for them to attain. He cannot be content with imparting to them only technical knowledge, with making them merely clever accountants, skillful artisans, successful tradesmen. It is his ambition to inspire them with principles of truth, obedience, honor, integrity, and purity--principles that will make them a positive force for the stability and uplifting (p. 30) of society. He desires them, above all else, to learn life's great lesson of unselfish service. {Ed 29.2}
Proverbs 13:24 NKJV 24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Proverbs 23:13-14 NKJV 13 Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. 14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.
Psalms 23:4 NKJV 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 NKJV 18 "Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 "You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Proverbs 13:24 NKJV 24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Wednesday
Is Life Better on a Rooftop
Proverbs 21:9 NKJV 9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:19 NKJV 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
Proverbs 27:15-16 NKJV 15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike; 16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.
Proverbs 25:20 NKJV 20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Proverbs 27:14 NKJV 14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him.
Proverbs 17:22 NKJV 22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Thursday
A Truly Wealthy Wife
Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:10 NKJV 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
Proverbs 12:4 NIV 4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Proverbs 12:4 NKJV 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 31:30 NKJV 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:10 NIV 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Proverbs 31:10 NKJV 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
Psalms 62:10 NKJV 10 Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them.
Joshua 1:14 NKJV 14 "Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them,
Ruth 3:11 NKJV 11 "And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my own know that you are a virtuous woman.
Proverbs 31:10 NKJV 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
Friday
Adventist Home, pp. 121-128 (not included with helps)
Security Only in Right Thinking
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Prov. 4:23. {FLB 222.1}
As a man "thinketh in his heart, so is he." Prov. 23:7. Many thoughts make up the unwritten history of a single day; and these thoughts have much to do with the formation of character. Our thoughts are to be strictly guarded; for one impure thought makes a deep impression on the soul. An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the mind. If the thoughts are pure and holy, the man is better for having cherished them. By them the spiritual pulse is quickened, and the power for doing good is increased. And as one drop of rain prepares the way for another in moistening the earth, so one good thought prepares the way for another. {FLB 222.2}
Wrong habits of thought, when once accepted, become a despotic power that fastens the mind as in a grasp of steel. {FLB 222.3}
The thoughts are not to be allowed to run riot. They must be restrained, brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Let them be placed upon holy things. Then, through the grace of Christ, they will be pure and true. We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts. The only security for any soul is right thinking. {FLB 222.4}
Our minds take the level of the things on which our thoughts dwell, and if we think upon earthly things, we shall fail to take the impress of that which is heavenly. We would be greatly benefited by contemplating the mercy, goodness, and love of God; but we sustain great loss by dwelling upon those things which are earthly and temporal. {FLB 222.5}
Although there may be a tainted, corrupted atmosphere around us, we need not breathe its miasma, but may live in the pure air of heaven. We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer. Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant communion with Heaven. (p. 223) {FLB 222.6}
Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1157
The Light Burns Dimly.--The light which is given to shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day, burns dimly. (p. 1157) The church no longer sends out the clear bright rays of light amidst the moral darkness that is enveloping the world as a funeral pall. The light of many does not burn or shine. They are moral icebergs (Letter 1f, 1890). {3BC 1156.7}
20-22. See EGW on Ex. 20:3-17, Vol. 1, p. 1105. {3BC 1157.1}
23 (1 Thess. 5:17; see EGW on Ps. 19:14). How Hearts May Be Kept for God.--"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a healthy growth in grace. The heart in its natural state is a habitation for unholy thoughts and sinful passions. When brought into subjection to Christ, it must be cleansed by the Spirit from all defilement. This can not be done without the consent of the individual. {3BC 1157.2}
When the soul has been cleansed, it is the duty of the Christian to keep it undefiled. Many seem to think that the religion of Christ does not call for the abandonment of daily sins, the breaking loose from habits which have held the soul in bondage. They renounce some things condemned by the conscience, but they fail to represent Christ in the daily life. They do not bring Christlikeness into the home. They do not show a thoughtful care in their choice of words. Too often, fretful, impatient words are spoken, words which stir the worst passions of the human heart. Such ones need the abiding presence of Christ in the soul. Only in His strength can they keep guard over the words and actions. {3BC 1157.3}
In the work of heart-keeping we must be instant in prayer, unwearied in petitioning the throne of grace for assistance. Those who take the name of Christian should come to God in earnestness and humility, pleading for help. The Saviour has told us to pray without ceasing. The Christian can not always be in the position of prayer, but his thoughts and desires can always be upward. Our self-confidence would vanish, did we talk less and pray more (YI March 5, 1903). {3BC 1157.4}
(Ps. 19:14; Eph. 4:13.) Christians should be careful that they keep the heart with all diligence. They should cultivate a love for meditation, and cherish a spirit of devotion. Many seem to begrudge moments spent in meditation, and the searching of the Scriptures, and prayer, as though the time thus occupied was lost. I wish you could all view these things in the light God would have you; for you would then make the kingdom of heaven of the first importance. To keep your heart in heaven, will give vigor to all your graces, and put life into all your duties. To discipline the mind to dwell upon heavenly things, will put life and earnestness into all our endeavors. Our efforts are languid, and we run the Christian race slowly, and manifest indolence and sloth, because we so little value the heavenly prize. We are dwarfs in spiritual attainments. It is the privilege and duty of the Christian to be "increasing in the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." [Eph. 4:13.] As exercise increases the appetite, and gives strength and healthy vigor to the body, so will devotional exercises bring an increase of grace and spiritual vigor. {3BC 1157.5}
The affections should center upon God. Contemplate His greatness, His mercy and excellences. Let His goodness and love and perfection of character captivate your heart. Converse upon His divine charms, and the heavenly mansions He is preparing for the faithful. He whose conversation is in heaven, is the most profitable Christian to all around him. His words are useful and refreshing. They have a transforming power upon those who hear them, and will melt and subdue the soul (RH March 29, 1870). {3BC 1157.6}
Practical Religion Breathes Fragrance.--Let the prayer go up to God, "Create in me a clean heart;" for a pure, cleansed soul has Christ abiding therein, and out of the abundance of the heart are the issues of life. The human will is to be yielded to Christ. Instead of passing on, closing the heart in selfishness, there is need of opening the heart to the sweet influences of the Spirit of God. Practical religion breathes its fragrance everywhere. It is a savor of life unto life (Letter 31a, 1894). {3BC 1157.7}
Proverbs 31:1-31 NKJV 1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: 2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.